Powder advise for a 280ai.

[Karlr]

I also have a 22" barrel with a 1:9 twist. I just reloaded a series with both the Berger 168 VLD's and the H-ELD-X's in 162 with 4831sc. I stepped up with .5 increments. I hope to get out this weekend to shoot them.

 

[Rflshootr]

I'd try some IMR 4350.

 

[Karlr]

I'd try some IMR 4350.

I've been trying H4350 you think that IMR4350 would make that much difference?

 

[Rflshootr]

It certainly could. As much difference as any other powder a few steps faster or slower could make. It has a different burning characteristic. Look at the burn rate chart. Could Norma 204, Re-16, Re-17 or VV N550 make a difference? Absolutely. Just because it has the number 4350, don't think that IMR 4350, H 4350 and Accurate 4350 are all the same powder with no differences and are completely interchangeable. Burn rates and pressure curves change barrel harmonics.
Load data from Hodgdon website 280 Ackley, 168 Sierra:

Hodgdon

H4350

3.330"

48.4

2,621

54,500 PSI

51.5

2,734

61,800 PSI

IMR

IMR 4350

3.330"

49.8

2,632

53,100 PSI

53.0

2,762

61,100 PSI

Accurate

4350

3.330"

56.0

2,733

51,200 PSI

59.6C

2,926

61,900 PSI

Notice any differences in velocities and pressures?

 

[myshootinstinks]

Pour some gold glitter in over the powder. I'm not sure how well it will shoot, but it will be pretty when the shot goes off.

 

[crazymonkey]

Out today for some testing with my 280ai and 175 berger elite hunter and some hornady 175 eldx .
Peterson brass
Fed 210
4831sc
Finally getting somewhere with the group.
So it seems to like the 175 eldx
.01 off the lands
57.5 gr H4831 SC
Peterson brass
Fed 210
Temp was 106.
2791 fps av and a SD of 7
The gun seems happy and I'm finally getting there.
All shots are off a atlas bi- pod and a rear bag . I'm still not quite happy with the bag so the group could be better.
I brought my 7-08 out also and was banging steel at 200 and 300 .
That gun just works

 

[Mark37082]

Dang! Already 106 degrees. At least it's a dry heat.

 

[VinceMule]

Monkey, change to a cci 250, get back to us on the results.

 

[VinceMule]

I shoot the 175g Nosler Long range accubonds, sorted by ogive length, seated .003 off the lands, with PMC 30/06 formed brass, federal 210 primer, 56.0g of IMR 7828 Long cut. Bug holes abound, 27", 9T X caliber, #5 contour with a Gentry muzzle break. This load groups in the very low 3's, and the load really knocks two good holes in a deer or hog, near and far. Sorting by ogive length eliminated flyers for me and my brother.

I tried, CCI 200, Rem 9 1/2. CCI 250, and federal 215s and only Federal 210s would group into a bug hole. I also found the same thing on the std 280 with the same lot of IMR 7828 Long cut with 160s at 2930 fps.

 

[manitou]

I shoot the 175g Nosler Long range accubonds, sorted by ogive length, seated .003 off the lands, with PMC 30/06 formed brass, federal 210 primer, 56.0g of IMR 7828 Long cut. Bug holes abound, 27", 9T X caliber, #5 contour with a Gentry muzzle break. This load groups in the very low 3's, and the load really knocks two good holes in a deer or hog, near and far. Sorting by ogive length eliminated flyers for me and my brother.

What velocity are you getting?

 

[VinceMule]

My brother has the loading notes. We have shot groups to 700 yards, the load is impressive in its accuracy.

 

[crazymonkey]

Monkey, change to a cci 250, get back to us on the results.

I'll see if I can find some . Primers are like gold and can be a challenge . I've got some berger 168s to test also . I need to run some seating depth tests with the 175 berger . I think I can get them to come around.

 

[204_ruger]

4831sc under the 168 gr LRAB is the bomb in my 280 AI.

I have some of the 168gr to try in mine.

 

[1stpitch]

I can't help directly with the AI, but my standard 280 really likes H4831. Not H4831SC, but standard H4831.